I have always painted. Initially in watercolour but since 2020 I have been developing a much more satisfying acrylic, collage, mixed-media practice which feels more authentically me. The layers are built up over time, using a variety of tools, marks and media to give a rich painting that works on many levels.
These mixed media paintings use layers and layers of collage, ink, paint and other media to build up a deep history of marks and stories. The paintings take many hours of work over several weeks because each mark is in response to the previous mark, each layer is built up in response to the previous layers. It can take time to reflect and intuit what the next move should be and is a fascinating and enjoyable process. Glimpses of multiple previous layers are visible but many are hidden and covered and never seen again.
My paintings may be a response to my external environment and are influenced by daily walks along the coast of Portsmouth Harbour where I live. Equally, the work is driven by my personal growth and reflections as I unpeel layers of myself.
“There is a big difference between what a painting is ‘of’ and what it is ‘about’. I’d like to think that all these pieces [in the exhibition] are true to place, but know they are not concerned with any superficial likeness… The paintings are about something more internal than external.”Simon Carter speaking about a recent exhibition (2022)
Like Simon Carter, my work is internal, not external. Sometimes there are recognisable aspects, but these are always metaphors for how I feel about the subject.
My process is intuitive and driven by fun. I collage papers and use a variety of unusual tools as well as the more usual brushes, nibs and pens as well as my fingers. One painting could comprise acrylic paint, inks, oil pastels, charcoal, graphite, acrylic pens, water-soluble crayons and more.
Each layer is sealed with acrylic medium, which adds to the depth. The final painting is sealed, and given two coats of matte acrylic varnish, which unites all the layers and maintains the deep texture and character of the finished painting.
Click on the pictures for a larger version.
Link to blog with more information. – where I explain much more about the process that created them.
Ailsa Brims Art 